November 21, 2008Showing Love Towards God: When have you put love into action?

I came across this question and have been sitting here just thinking about this. I had YouTube opened and typed in Love God and one of the first videos that came up was of Mother Teresa talking about how can we say that we love God who was havenít seen when we donít show love to those around us in need of it whom we can see. Itís a short 3 minute clip but itís really powerful. Iím not Catholic but I found her message to be powerful. What I'm saying is not that this is how I have expressed love toward others, but I am convicted that this is an area where I feel lack and a need to love God through loving those around me that I can see.

By: Rob Marsden - November 21, 2008 - PublicCategory: My Blog

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November 21, 2008Meeting Social Needs: When have you put love into action?

You guys are awesome. Thanks for sharing all the cool stories. It may be obvious but I wanted to say that whatís happen right here is a good example of people demonstrating love to one another. Iíve never met you guys and yet you share your hearts so readily and touch my life. Thanks for investing your life into mine and loving me in a simple but important way.

By: Rob Marsden - November 21, 2008 - PublicCategory: My Blog

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November 21, 2008Meeting Mental Needs: When have you put love into action

Iíve got one on this topic. Iíve got a nephew who has difficulty with math. Iím a math whiz and so I go over 3 days a week to help tutor him and help him out with his homework. Itís easy enough for me that I donít have to do any prep work. I enjoy it and it gives us some time together.

By: Rob Marsden - November 21, 2008 - PublicCategory: My Blog

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November 21, 2008Meeting Physical Needs: When have you put love into action?

One of the ways Iíve been trying to show love through meeting physical needs is helping out some of the freshman students here at college. I frequently befriend one of the newbies in the dorm and invite him over to my place for a hot meal, to study together and to just hang out. Itís a lot of fun and some good friendships have happened from it. So, itís good for them but just as much so for me. Iíd highly recommend it.

By: Rob Marsden - November 21, 2008 - PublicCategory: My Blog

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November 03, 2008Relational Conflict: How has Jesus helped you

Although Iím a single college student, I can tell you that Iíve had my fair share of relationship problems. Last year I discovered that one of my best friends had said something really bad about me to some of my friends behind my back. I found out about it through one of my other friends. Iím someone who tends to avoid conflict. At first, I just didnít want to ever see him again. For days, I went out of my way to avoid seeing him or even talking to him. I was so mad that I thought I was going to punch him or at least say something that I would regret. So, I just avoided him for days. I kept playing out scenarios in my head about what I would say to him when I saw him again. I couldnít concentrate on much and was distracted by my feeling of being betrayed. I even skipped some classes he and I had together to avoid seeing him.

I kept praying about it and asking God for wisdom about how to handle the situation. I talked to one of my friends and mentors who often helps me find the right path in such times. He taught me that I have to begin with forgiveness. No matter what happens, I always have to forgive because if I donít forgive someone, I empower what they did to me to control me. Unforgiveness always robs us of peace and joy no matter what someone did to us and no matter whether they ask for forgiveness or not.

Second, he taught me that real love is unconditional and confrontational love. First, it means that I am committed to loving my friend even when he does something wrong to me. My relationship with them is more important to me than protecting myself from getting hurt again. Naturally if someone continues a pattern of hurting me without change, I have to reevaluate whether I can continue to invest in that friendship or not. He also taught me that love is confrontational. In other words, if I love someone, I am not going to let me get away with some behavior that is negative. I at least have to confront them about it and the rest is up to them. If they donít respond with repentance and change, at least Iíve loved them as much as I can. If they arenít teachable, then I need to reconsider the long-term viability of that friendship.

Confrontation is really hard for me but I did it anyway. I discovered that what I was told he had said wasnít really correct. He had said some things that werenít positive but my other friend had misunderstood him some too. After I confronted my friend, he apologized and we hugged and cried and it really brought us closer together. He and I now talk about things at a level we never did before. He also went back to the other people he had said those things to and apologized to them and corrected some misunderstandings. It really increased my confidence in him and my appreciation for our friendship.